A Fathers Wise Advice
1My children,[a] listen to me. Listen to your father's instruction. Pay attention and grow wise, 2for I am giving you good guidance. Don't turn away from my teaching. 3For I, too, was once my father's son, tenderly loved by my mother as an only child.
4My father told me, "Take my words to heart. Follow my instructions and you will live. 5Learn to be wise, and develop good judgment. Don't forget or turn away from my words. 6Don't turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. 7Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And whatever else you do, get good judgment. 8If you prize wisdom, she will exalt you. Embrace her and she will honor you. 9She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown."
10My child,[b] listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. 11I will teach you wisdom's ways and lead you in straight paths. 12If you live a life guided by wisdom, you won't limp or stumble as you run. 13Carry out my instructions; don't forsake them. Guard them, for they will lead you to a fulfilled life.
14Do not do as the wicked do or follow the path of evildoers. 15Avoid their haunts. Turn away and go somewhere else, 16for evil people cannot sleep until they have done their evil deed for the day. They cannot rest unless they have caused someone to stumble. 17They eat wickedness and drink violence!
18The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. 19But the way of the wicked is like complete darkness. Those who follow it have no idea what they are stumbling over.
20Pay attention, my child, to what I say. Listen carefully. 21Don't lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, 22for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning.
23Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.[c]
24Avoid all perverse talk; stay far from corrupt speech.
25Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. 27Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.
Footnotes:
a. Proverbs 4:1 Hebrew My sons.
b. Proverbs 4:10 Hebrew My son; also in 4:20.
c. Proverbs 4:23 Hebrew for from it flow the springs of life.
4 comments:
Prov 4
I love this stuff. No need to repeat a lot of the verses, because they are so self explanatory. Amazing how timeless this book is. However, one big question???? Why does Solomon keep referring to wisdom as SHE?? Maybe one of his wives was proofing it :)...
Anyway, pretty amazing tidbits to remember.
Father, give me the strength and wisdom to forma relationship with my kids that You will be proud of. Help me respond in everything I do as Jesus would to me. Give me wisdom to deal with them and bring them up in a way that honors You. Watch over my brothers and keep them strong and dedicated.
In Christ,
cas
there is something neat for me to read about a Father's instruction...i am sure we each have had different Fatherly upbringing, but for me, it is really a great reminder about the advise a father has for his child (no matter how old you get). cas, no idea why wisdom is a "she"...may just be poetic license to use "she". what i find intriguing to think about is what truly is "wisdom" - we get advice from all people, so how do we know wisdom versus advice that is poor. maybe, in this verse/case, wisdom is what comes from your parents. thus, by honoring them, and listening to them, you gain wisdom.
Father, as a newly married man, i have many new things on my mind. I am consumed with new thoughts, new joys, and even new concerns. I pray for both my wife and I that you will guide us in our marriage. and, please give us patience and a loving heart to our own parents and to each others' parents. It is new for them, and even bittersweet. Please comfort them and help SM and me to know how to make them feel like they havent lost a son or daughter but rather the have gained. Father, bless all of these men in their daily walks and help them with their individual struggles and temptations. Let them find strength in you. Amen.
Proverbs 4
Solomon was a wise man. Maybe he is telling us something?
Seriously, verses 21-23 speaks about letting the words of God penetrate deep within the heart and to guard our hearts because it affects everything that we do. I really believe that we must have it in our hearts to truly live a life for Jesus. So often, we can read the words on a page but get nothing out of it.
Lord, soften our hearts and open them for your wisdom.
Your servant,
LT
Pr 4
25Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. 27Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.
Well timed for me who has struggled with lots of distraction and even spent tons of time worrying. My goal this coming week (starting now) is to seriously focus daily throughout the day on God, not on me, so that I may not be distracted. It's like the whole walking on a balance beam, you look down, its over. It should be all about faith.
Father, drag my eyes towards You, beat me around if need be, help me learn my lesson, but let me focus on You, and away from the negative thinking, and listening to the evil what-ifs. Let me be postive, thankful for Your blessings, and focused upon You. In Jesus name,
Amen
crb
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